A CHARMING SCENE 



was intensified owing to the objections of one of the 

 camels to being loaded. There was consequently 

 much excitement among the syces; everyone, includ- 

 ing most of the Somali from the village, was giving 

 advice and generally getting in one another's way, 

 while the camel snarled and gurgled, making the most 

 hideous din. Before his load was finally adjusted, 

 he managed to smash one bucket and several minor 

 articles of less importance. All this delayed the 

 start till 5.30, but as there was only a short march to 

 be accomplished, it was of no great consequence. 

 The whole caravan straggled through the bush along 

 a narrow sandy trail that wound its tortuous way 

 throug^h the acacias, mimosas and scrub that covered 

 the hillside. Only once did we come to a clearing, 

 a beautiful little meadow with green grass, starred 

 with wild flowers and shaded by three huge yak 

 trees. In the centre nestled a tiny rainpool, as yet 

 unsoiled, with a ring of clean white sand between it 

 and the vivid green of the grass. There were many 

 brightly coloured birds and many curious tracks, 

 those of giant lizards and rats, whose broad tails had 

 left a smooth line between their footprints, and all 

 around and about signs and tracks of dik-dik and 

 guinea-fowl. Two hours later the crest was reached, 

 and here I pitched camp in the shade of some huge 

 acacia trees. Only water was lacking, but it was a 

 lovely, picturesque spot, and the north-east monsoon 

 tempered the heat which had been so trying on the 

 plains. Two days were spent here in shooting and 

 working, and I was able to add to my collection, 

 among other animals, three dik-dik and fifteen 

 species of birds. The dik-dik, of which I shall have 

 more to say in a subsequent chapter, are found in 



56 



